Former Bozeman track coach accused of sexting students posts bail
James Michael Evans, the former Bozeman High track coach accused of sending sexually explicit text and photo messages to female students, has been released from jail after posting $50,000 bail.
Officials at the Gallatin County jail confirmed that Evans, 29, made bail Monday.
As part of his release, Evans is prohibited from having contact with anyone under the age of 18 and must stay at least 100 yards away from the high school.
Charged with felony sexual abuse of children and two counts of misdemeanor obscenity, Evans is scheduled to appear in District Court Nov. 12. During Evans' initial court appearance in Justice Court last week, the suspect's attorney indicated the former coach would plead not guilty to each of the charges.
Gallatin County prosecutors allege that Evans last August began "sexting" a 15-year-old girl on the Bozeman High track team he coached and tried to entice her to engage in sexual contact.
The charging documents quote about a dozen explicit text messages Evans is suspected of sending the girl, including "Maybe I can break some rules. Depends on how good you are and whether you can keep a secret. Haha for now I wanna see how much you share over text."
Investigators also allege that Evans sent sexually explicit photos of himself to the cell phones of the girl and another female student. Prosecutors have said the photos were perhaps also sent to other victims, as well, although no other charges had been filed as of Wednesday afternoon.
Evans was arrested Oct. 27, after a parent of one of the girls contacted Bozeman High School principal Rob Watson, who in turn notified police.
Evans, a graduate of both Bozeman High and Montana State, served as an assistant track coach at the high school for about four years before being named head coach last June. He also served as an assistant football coach at the high school, but resigned both of those positions after his arrest.
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